I didn't see Kuhn as Fantine, unfortunately, but here she is singing I Dreamed a Dream at the White House in 1988:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYEJqZQOsHg
She has one of my favorite voices ever, I mean ever! And her range is huge, both as a singer and an actress.
Rosa Bud
Bella
Cosette
Florence
Maria/Futura
Amalia
Betty Schaeffer
Fantine
Bella and Cosette couldnt be more different in both character and vocal range...in one season.
Now, I need her to add another character to that list:
Mrs. Danvers!!!
Swing Joined: 2/23/04
Love, love, love her.
I made this video about it for Jeffery Self's web series:
Self-Obsessed: Ben Rimalower on Judy Kuhn
Did anyone see her as a board member on ELEMENTARY last night?
I'm surprised that no one has posted this yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdnxeo7iGtw
(The song is so cheezy that you could serve it in a fondue pot, but I loved it ever since a friend of mine in Scotland sent it to me on a cassette, back when the show came out. I'd love to hear two guys sing it.)
I remember that she was supposed to take over for Maria Friedman in "The Woman in White", when Maria got ill, but the show closed before that happened. I was no big fan of "Woman" but I was sorry that Judy never got to play it.
I adore her Jule Styne CD. Always lamented her absence on the She Loves Me recording. Her Laura Nyro CD is also fantastic. Her slow tempo "Stoney End" is heartbreaking.
I'm watching Elementary right now and loved seeing Kuhn, even though she needed a bigger role.
I needed to bump this because I woke up today thinking about my favorite musical performer. This video is such a treasure that it belongs in this love thread.
Stand-by Joined: 3/2/15
Judy Kuhn in "King David":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV7luB12EBY
Judy Kuhn in "She Loves Me":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyRqRjjE54U
Judy --we miss you! Please come back to Broadway. I just watched another two of my favorite JK performances. You always steal my heart.
Updated On: 6/30/18 at 10:35 AM
I love her and her voice is like silk.
In projects like Chess and Pocahontas she sounds great, but I do think there were also roles were she was miscast, like Cosette.
She is not that kind of soprano to me. Her strength lies in a completely different place on the vocal spectrum.
I always compare her to Claire Moore, also one of the best singers in the world, but she was definitely not a Christine to me. But an outstanding Ellen. I'm always a bit surprised when people see Judy as a Cosette, vocally. Her performance in the Les Miserables 10th anniversary concert always bothered me a bit, especially her high notes.
So I think she's great but misunderstood at times, also by casting directors.
Stand-by Joined: 4/6/18
I love her gorgeous voice also. I believe she is appearing in Provincetown this summer with Seth Rudetsky.
July 15 and 16th. I would give anything to hear her again on Broadway also. Her concerts are pretty amazing, though.
Cannot wait to see Judy at Classic Stage in I Can Get it For You Wholesale. She never disappoints.
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